Alan Pardew must play Hatem Ben Arfa to save both their Newcastle United careers

Newcastle United fans mob Hatem Ben Arfa after he was dropped against Cardiff City last season (Picture: AP)

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew needs to swallow his pride and welcome talented Hatem Ben Arfaback into the fold if he has any chance of winning back the Toon Army.

Pardew and owner Mike Ashley made moves to repair their fractured relationship with the Magpies’ fans with a summer spending spree this transfer window.

The pair brought in strikers Ayoze Perez and Emmanuel Riviere, reinforced the midfield with gritty Jack Colback, as well as replacing full-back Debuchy with World Cup star Daryl Janmaat.

They then added some much needed creativity in winger Remy Cabella and Siem de Jong.

But despite the efforts in the transfer market, Pardew still heard chants for the Magpies’ enigmatic number 10 Ben Arfa echo around Hillsborough Stadium on Wednesday night as the Toon took on Sheffield Wednesday.

Like in all the best stories, it seems to me the pairs’ futures are inextricably linked.

Just like last season, Ben Arfa was not picked in the first team squad.

The Frenchman was left out of the Toon’s squad which enjoyed wins on the road in New Zealand, and has allegedly been training with the reserves and made just one appearance in a behind closed doors game against Queen of the South.

Despite claims of the contrary from club insiders, pictures of Ben Arfa looking leaner are being banded around the internet which is only heaping more pressure on Pardew to give the French star a second chance.

Transfer rumours are continuously linking the mercurial Frenchman with transfers to some of Europe’s top clubs including AC Milan and Liverpool, with Lyon, QPR and Everton allegedly holding an interest in the player.

Newcastle fans have long memories and Pardew’s implosion against Hull City, as well as becoming the Magpies first manager in the Premier League era to lose fine consecutive games, overseeing the Toon’s worst ever defeat and is also the first manager in decades to lose three consecutive derby defeats, won’t easily be forgotten.

Pardew attempted to turn Ben Arfa into a scapegoat for the club’s less than impressive performances last term and, despite being limited to cameo appearances for most of last season, the former Marseille man was banned from the squad all together after two fall outs with his manager during the end of season run in.

It’s been several seasons since the Magpies fans have seen Ben Arfa’s best form but the exciting winger has the flair and creativity to make something out of nothing and is exactly the kind of player the Toon fans love to see.

Pardew could rue the decision to force the Frenchman out of the club if his Toon side fail to hit the mark this season.